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DUP accused of failing disabled community

Sinn Féin Loughgiel councillor Anita Cavlan has accused the DUP of failing
the disabled community after DUP councillors refused to back a motion
calling on the council to adopt the Barcelona Declaration, which has already
been adopted by the Irish and British Governments and also over 400 councils
on the island of Ireland.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Cavlan said:

"I am more sad than angry about the DUP in Ballymoney refusing to recognise
the need for more provisions for the disabled people in the Borough. This
declaration would help to promote better awareness of disabled persons in
our community and realise their potentials and contributions among the
general public.

"I put this motion to the council because I have been contacted by many
groups and individuals campaigning for better treatment of the disabled
people in the North.

"Unfortunately, the DUP in Ballymoney can't see past their bigoted mindset
to back a very important motion, just because it was put forward by a
Nationalist party.

"It's about time that the DUP caught a grip of themselves and realise that
there politics and views are being left out in the cold, while the rest of
the elected representatives are working to create a better society for all.
The day they realise this, couldn't come quick enough for the people of the
North." ENDS

Notes to editors:

Motion for November meeting of Ballymoney Council:

"This council adopts the Barcelona Declaration and commits itself to taking
positive and radical measures to improve the quality of life for citizens
with disabilities across the borough.

"This council will promote better awareness of disabled persons, their
rights, their needs, their potentials and their contributions among the
general public. We will liaise with the Equality commission and disability
groups, such as Disability Action, to ensure that the Council meets its
commitments under the declaration.

"This council will also use its position to lobby other parts of the
government and statutory agencies to adopt the declaration." ENDS